City of Tacoma - Surface Water - Permits and Manuals-

Permits and Manuals

Get a permit
Business pretreatment program
Special approved discharges to wastewater and surface water system
Sweepers and erosion control suppliers
Surface Water Management Manual
Surface Water Managment Manual training workshops
Policy updates

Get a Permit

Need a permit?
Sewer construction or repair
Special approved discharges to wastewater system
Special approved discharges to surface water system

Sewer construction or repair
If you work on your own private plumbing or side sewer projects, you need a City of Tacoma permit so City inspectors can ensure they are built to proper standards.

Plumping or side sewer work done in the City right-of-way must be done by a contractor licensed and bonded to work in the City of Tacoma. You can find them listed in the local telephone directory under “Sewer Contractors," or visit the Labor & Industries Web site to learn more about hiring a contractor.

Get your permit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at:

Building & Land Use Services Division
747 Market St., Room 345 (3rd floor)
Tacoma, WA 98402

For more information about permits, please call (253) 591-5030 or visit www.govME.com.

Special approved discharges to wastewater system
To discharge any additional or short-term waste into the wastewater system, you must have a special approved discharge permit.

Submit applications and fees at least 30 days before your requested discharge date. Fees are based on the amount and the strength of the discharged wastewater as well as a fixed administrative fee of $200-$650. (Some exceptions apply.)

Sampling may be required to ensure the discharges comply with water quality requirements. Remember, we all have to do our part to keep pollutants out of our environment. Read our fish-friendly tips.

For more information about special approved discharge permits, fees and regulations, call (253) 591-5588.

Special approved discharges to surface water system
To discharge anything other than rain water into the surface water system, you must have a special discharge permit.

Submit applications and fees at least 30 days before your requested discharge date. Fees are based on the quantity of the treated water to be discharged as well as application and administration fees:

$500 application fee, due when you submit your application
$300 annual administration fee, to be paid by Jan. 30 of the year you begin discharging, as well as each year you continue to discharge
$0.0013347 per gallon discharged

Sampling may be required to make sure the discharges comply with water quality requirements. Remember, we all have to do our part to keep pollutants out of our bays, lakes and streams. Learn more about how you can help keep our water clean.

For more information about surface water discharge permits, fees and regulations, call (253) 591-5588.

Cleaning and sweeping services & suppliers of erosion control products
These lists are updated regularly each January. If your business is not listed and you wish to be included, please contact Mike Rhubright at (253) 502-2238.

Tacoma Surface Water Management Manual

The City of Tacoma updated the Surface Water Management Manual (effective Sept. 22, 2008), to comply with the most recent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, clarify information and incorporate updated policies. The changes are compliant with the NPDES permit and are equivalent to the Department of Ecology's 2005 manual.

The revised manual sets forth the minimum standards for new development and redevelopment projects, including updated requirements for flow control (quantity), water quality (treatment), low-impact development techniques, and erosion and sediment control.

Download the Surface Water Manual
This manual is too large to download all at once, so it has been divided by chapters. The files are PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you have any trouble downloading any of the files, simply click here to request files via e-mail or CD. (Please specify what section you need.)

* OPTIONAL: If you wish to receive SWMM updates and stormwater policy information related to policies that affect site development as they occur, please click here to provide the applicable contact information.

2008 Surface Water Management Manual
Effective Sept. 22, 2008; Final version and errata posted 11/24/08
* If your project was vested prior to Sept. 22, 2008, click here to view the 2003 Surface Water Management Manual.

Click here to download the entire manual as one pdf.
Click here to see a list of policy updates.

For individual sections of the manual:

Cover
Table of Contents
Preface

Volume 1: Stormwater Site Planning
Table of Contents
Chapter 1—Development and Redevelopment Impacts
Chapter 2—Watershed Designations
Chapter 3—Minimum Requirements for New Development and Redevelopment
AMMENDED 1/29/09: Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6
Chapter 4—Preparation of Stormwater Site Plans
Appendix A—Regulatory Requirements
Appendix B—Stormwater Site Plan Submittal Requirements Checklist
Appendix C—Hydraulic Analysis Worksheet
Appendix D—Maintenance Standards for Drainage Facilities
Appendix E—Wetlands and Stormwater Management Guidelines
Appendix F—Bond Qualities Worksheet

Volume 2: Stormwater Management for Construction Sites
Table of Contents
Chapter 1—The 12 Elements of Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Chapter 2—Developing a Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Chapter 3—Standards and Specifications for Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Appendix A—Standard Notes for Erosion Control Plans
Appendix B—Background Information on Chemical Treatment
Appendix C—Construction SWPPP Short Form

Volume 3: Surface Water Quantity Control and Conveyance
Table of Contents
Chapter 1—Hydrologic Analysis
Chapter 2—Flow Control Design
Chapter 3—Conveyance System Design and Hydraulic Analysis
Appendix A—Tacoma Design Storm
Appendix B—Procedure for Conducting a Pilot Infiltration Test

Volume 4: Source Control BMPs
Table of Contents
Chapter 1—Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 2—Worksheet for Commercial and Industrial Activities
Chapter 3—BMPs for Homeowners
Chapter 4—BMPs for Commercial and Industrial Activities
Chapter 5—Regulations and Requirements
Appendix A—Quick Reference Phone Numbers
Appendix B—Recycling/Disposal of Vehicle Fluids/Other Wastes
Appendix C—Example of an Integrated Pest Management Program
Appendix D—Recommendations for Management of Street Wastes

Volume 5: Water Quality Treatment BMPs
Table of Contents
Chapter 1—Treatment Facility Selection Process
Chapter 2—Treatment Facility Menus
Chapter 3—General Requirements for Stormwater Facilities
Chapter 4—Pretreatment
Chapter 5—Infiltration and Bio-infiltration Treatment Facilities
Chapter 6—Sand Filtration Treatment Facilities
Chapter 7—Biofiltration Treatment Facilities
Chapter 8—Wetpool Facilities
Chapter 9—Oil and Water Separators
Chapter 10—Emerging Technologies
Appendix A—Basic Treatment Receiving Waters
Appendix B—Procedure for Conducting a Pilot Infiltration Test
Appendix C—Geotextile Specifications
Appendix D—Turbulence and Short-Circuiting Factor

Volume 6: Low Impact Development and On-Site Stormwater Management
Table of Contents
Chapter 1—General Requirements
Chapter 2—Low Impact Development Best Management Practices

Glossary
References

Errata summary

Response to public comment: All comments received by the Sept. 10, 2008, deadline were reviewed and considered in developing the final manual. We appreciate the time and effort for the individuals and groups that submitted comments. Many of the comments were very helpful in creating a more useable manual.
Click here to download a PDF of the 2008 SWMM response to public comment.

Understanding the Surface Water Management Manual

Click here to download a PDF of the presentation used during the City's Surface Water Management Manual training workshop.

Policy updates
Update to Filterra Policy October 2009 (10/13/09)
Revision to Detention Practices for the Leach Creek Watershed (1/28/09)
Policy Regarding Proprietary Stormwater Treatment Devices (10/7/08)
Revision to Detention Practices for Flett Creek Watershed (5/13/08)
Use of Filterra Water Quality Devices (10/7/08)

Get updates

If you wish to receive SWMM updates and stormwater policy information related to policies that affect site development as they occur, please provide the applicable contact information below.

Request a printed copy
Purchase a printed copy of the Surface Water Manual at the City of Tacoma, Science and Engineering Division Office, Building E, located at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2201 Portland Ave. Cost if you pick it up: $72. You can also call (253) 591-5588 and request a mailed copy of the manual. Cost if mailed to you: $82.

Request a digital version on CD
You can pickup a digital version of the Surface Water Management Manual for free at the City of Tacoma, Science & Engineering Division Office, located at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2201 Portland Ave. E-mail Merlita Whitney for more information.

E-mail contact for this page: Community Relations